Tips from the Nest

Time is such a valuable asset so tips that help me save time are important in my life.  I have been gathering bits of wisdom, and would love to pass them on.  If you have some, I would really love to have you share.  That's what makes life so special, isn't it, the sharing with others?  My favorite part of life is finding people that love what I love and making a connection.

A quick spring cleaning tip:

Whenever you can, open your window's, the air is crisp and clean.  Outside the sun may be shinning brightly, but inside your home it looks and smells like winter.  So, throw on your grubby clothes, turn on some tunes, and tackle your spring cleaning.

Try these cleaning alternatives, courtesy of the National Safety Council (and the spring 2007 livingwell magazine):
*Toilet bowl cleaner: baking soda and castile soap.
*mold and mildew remover: scrub with equal parts vinegar and salt.
*Pet-odor remover: cider vinegar
*Oven cleaner: 2 Tbsp each of liquid soap and borax in warm water.
*Carpet cleaner: baking soda

learning to keep a clean house, one that is uncluttered and inviting is the beginning of much more than just spring cleaning, it brings happiness, better family relationships, creativity and renewed energy and enthusiasm for the life we live outside the home. 

So, get hopping... happy spring cleaning.

got any great tips?... feel free to share.


CLEANUP CLUTTER FOR GOOD
How many of us have a clutter spot called the KITCHEN TABLE? 

To tackle such spots, it may be a desk, a chair, a corner... first you need a master plan. 

• Set specific goals for yourself and take it one step at a time.  Make plenty of time in your calender for such things.  The book "Simple Country Wisdom" shares the idea to take a picture of the space.  Photo's let you see what you normally wouldn't.  Anything that is out of place will easily be noticed .
• Get help - give children, husbands, friends, big buckets or baskets (laundry baskets work well) and get them sorting.  Make 3 piles: PUT AWAY, THROW AWAY, and GIVE AWAY!
• make sure everything has a place where it belongs.  Things that float never really get put away.  Never leave a room empty handed.  There are always things that can be put in their "spot".
• invest in a large basket - with a handle that you can tote around easily.  If there are things that still need to be put away, but your out of time, they can sit in the decorative basket like part of your decor.  (don't forget to come back to them... while dinner is cooking, during t.v. commercials)

• group things into catagories - don't alphabetize books and dvd's.  when they are arranged by category and you go to put them away "close enough is good enough."

When you need to do a serious clearing out you have to make some decisions. 

Here's a few tips on how to make this happen.

• don't save something you've forgotten about.
• just because it was free doesn't mean you need to keep it.
• toss the guilt.  this includes gifts you never liked.  If you really want to be kind to these objects, give them a new home with people who will appreciate them.